Face Masks

[eariyam]

Does anyone know what the protocol is regarding not wearing a face mask? I cannot wear one for health reasons but do I need a doctor's note or will my word for it be good enough?? I have tried phoning my surgery but after an hour holding got fed up and hung up (several times)

[Cloverjo]

From gov.uk
You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes:

young children under the age of 11
not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
if you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
to eat or drink, but only if you need to
to take medication
if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering.

No mention of a doctor’s note. Just explain you can’t wear one for health reasons if anyone asks.

[Buenchico]

There is no formal method of proving that you're exempt from the requirement to wear a face covering. (If there was, I'd have expected to see a reference to it on the Gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#exemptions-to-wearing-a-face-covering-where-they-are-mandated )

However some transport operators, such as First Bus, invite people to download and print out cards that tell their drivers that they're exempt. Such cards might also prove to be useful in shops, etc:
https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/node_images/face-covering-exemption-extra-help-travel-assistance-card-12-06-20.pdf

[eariyam]

Thank you so much for that. I have stress related asthma and COPD and the one and only time I wore one I felt as though I was drowning

[Buenchico]

I've just read an article on the website of the Sheffield Star, which links to the charity Hidden Disabilities. They're offering exemption cards for 55p:
https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/hidden-disabilities-face-covering.html

A plastic wallet and a lanyard to go with it can be ordered separately, if required:
https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/shop/sunflower-lanyards.html

[eariyam]

Oh that's great Thank you

[MartinMillar]

If you intend to fly you will need a drs note, saying you are unable to wear a mask

[tamborine]

I have COPD & use an inhaler. I work 7hrs pd in full ppe that is sweaty/hot & leaves me with migrain & irratability that needs codein every night to sleep. If you wear a mask in my work place I can remove mine for some relief. There are 6 staff that rely on my health plus their families they support. So please wear your mask & give us workers a break or stay at home!

[margarettom]

I am asthmatic and find a face mask difficult, so I wear a face shield when I am out. I will wear a face mask if necessary too, despite the difficulty with breathing. There is some debate on here as to how much a face shield protects other people from you, but they are an accepted face covering in Scotland. And it must be better than no face covering at all I'd of thought and it will certainly protect you, which as an asthmatic I would have thought was vital.

[jourdain2]

As it happens, I spoke to our nurse today. I explained that I had photocopied my prescription, marked my inhalers in red and an arrow saying 'ASTHMA' all in a plastic envelope. She thought that was fine. She suffers from asthma herself and removes her mask unless a patient insists (we say 'Take it off for goodness' sake.')

Your word should be good enough, but otherwise, do as I did for back-up. Tesco's policy is not to challenge. Most people's will be the same.

[douglas9401]

Fair to say that one can pretty much please themself then.